Anyone who loves to cook has encountered a handful of recipes that has a very special effect on them… that effect being that they’re making that recipe within the very hour in which they consumed the words! This could best be described as a sort of love-at-first-sight reaction if you will, or at the very least a compelling infatuation. It happens.
The recipe for these Crispy Low-Carb Chicken Nuggets, my friends, was/is one of those recipes for me, and I’m still very much head-over-heels for it! Once I came across this concept, I immediately stopped whatever the heck I was doing at that moment (no idea what that was) and went to search my pantry for the ingredients.
I had to assess my chances of making a batch of these crispy-looking babies right then and there! I was in luck that afternoon… and these were a big hit, y’all.
Chicken nuggets are a snack that both kids and adults love. Nuggets are a popular snack and meal addition because they have a crispy battered outside that surrounds tender, juicy chicken. People love the crunch that comes from deep-frying, but air-frying chicken nuggets is becoming more and more popular as a way to get the same texture with much less oil and calories. It may take a few tries, though, to find the best air fryer cooking time. If you want your chicken nuggets to be the perfect golden brown crisp, this guide will tell you how long to air fry them whether they are frozen or homemade.
Factors That Impact Air Fryer Chicken Nugget Cook Times
When air frying chicken nuggets. The amount of time needed to cook can vary a lot depending on a few important factors.
-
Air Fryer Model Not all air fryers are created equal. The wattage, capacity and airflow design of your particular appliance will impact cook times. Always consult your air fryer manual for recommended settings.
-
Size of Nuggets: The speed at which nuggets cook depends on their size and thickness. Big, thick nuggets might need a few more minutes than little, thin ones.
-
Cooking a bigger batch? You’ll probably need to add more time to the fry and shake or flip the nuggets halfway through to make sure they brown evenly. Work in smaller batches if needed.
-
Frozen vs. Homemade: Pre-frozen nuggets eliminate thaw time but may cook faster than homemade. Breading, coatings, and thickness still vary between brands.
-
Desired Crispness: Are you looking for a light golden crunch or an ultra-crispy crust? Adjust cook time up or down accordingly.Err on the side of underdone and finish with extra time if needed.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at specific air fryer recommendations for frozen and homemade nuggets.
How Long to Air Fry Frozen Chicken Nuggets
For frozen chicken nuggets from the store, the air fryer cooking time will generally be 6-12 minutes at 400°F, shaking halfway. However, always defer to any instructions on the packaging as cook times can vary significantly between brands and products. When in doubt, start with a shorter cook time and add more as needed.
Here are some tips for air frying frozen chicken nuggets:
-
Ensure nuggets are spread in a single layer, not overlapping or touching.
-
Spray air fryer basket lightly with oil for optimal crispness.
-
For larger batches, cook in smaller amounts, redistributing halfway.
-
Preheat air fryer fully before adding nuggets.
-
Flip/shake nuggets about halfway through cooking.
-
Brush or spray nuggets with a bit more oil after flipping for even browning.
-
Check for doneness early and extend cook time in 1-2 minute intervals if needed.
-
Let cooked nuggets rest 1-2 minutes out of the air fryer before serving.
The beauty of air frying frozen foods like chicken nuggets is that you skip thawing or prep time. In just 10-15 minutes, you can enjoy piping hot crisp nuggets for a quick weeknight dinner or snack.
How Long to Air Fry Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Making chicken nuggets from scratch at home lets you control the ingredients and coatings but does require a bit more hands-on prep. You’ll need to account for raw chicken cook time in addition to crisping and browning the outer layer.
For breaded homemade nuggets, the air fryer cooking time will generally be 8-14 minutes at 390°F, flipping halfway. Thicker nuggets or larger batches may take closer to 18-20 minutes.
Here are some pointers for air frying homemade chicken nuggets:
-
Pound chicken breast to an even thickness before breading, around 1⁄2 inch.
-
Chill breaded nuggets in fridge for 15-30 minutes before air frying.
-
Use a bit of oil or cooking spray on nuggets before air frying.
-
Cook at a slightly lower temp (390°F) to avoid over-browning.
-
Flip nuggets at least once midway through cooking.
-
Verify interior is 165°F with a meat thermometer before removing.
-
Let rest 1-2 minutes out of fryer before dipping into sauce and serving.
With the right technique, you can absolutely achieve tender, juicy interior and crispy coating on homemade nuggets with your air fryer. It just requires a bit more finesse.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Air Fryer Chicken Nugget Results
To take your air fried chicken nuggets to the next level, keep these pro tips in mind:
-
Always preheat air fryer fully before cooking. This helps ensure even browning.
-
Use light oil or spray for optimal crispness. Brush nuggets after flipping too.
-
Work in smaller batches if needed to avoid crowding.
-
Flip/shake halfway through cooking for all-over crispness.
-
Adjust cook times as needed based on doneness, not crispness. You can always add more time.
-
Let rest 1-2 minutes after cooking before tossing in sauce or serving for best texture.
-
Use sauce sparingly if planning to air fry again. Thick sauce prevents crispness. Serve extra sauce on the side.
With the right timing and a few simple tricks, you can enjoy restaurant-quality crunchy baked chicken nuggets from the comfort of your own kitchen. So grab your air fryer and whip up a batch of this tasty appetizer or meal. Just be sure not to overcrowd the basket and adjust cooking times as needed until you find your perfect crisp. Happy air frying!
How to make crispy low carb chicken nuggets
You’ll need eggs, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and a few dashes of hot sauce to make a fantastic batch of these low-carb chicken nuggets.
Canned chicken was a surprise ingredient for me in this recipe, but it really works wonderfully here. I actually use canned chicken fairly regularly to make batches of simple chicken salad (it’s so good with crackers for lunch!), so I have a few cans in my pantry most of the time. I also enjoy that using cooked, ready-to-use chicken really makes prepping these nuggets a snappy process. To follow this recipe, you need to drain the chicken and use a fork or pastry cutter to shred it.
Once the shredded chicken is combined with all the seasonings, eggs and cheese, it must be formed into 1. 5 – 2-inch shaped nuggets. Probably everyone knows what a basic chicken nugget looks like, and it was very easy for me to make one with my hands (see the full tutorial video below for a clear example of how to do this). Once the nuggets are shaped and ready to cook, I highly recommend using an air fryer to get them nice and crispy in just a few minutes. This recipe works great in an air fryer, and I go into great detail in the recipe card below about how to cook it in an air fryer.
Although I have not made them in the oven myself, I do believe achieving good results with this recipe is possible by “oven-frying” as well. It just might take a bit more time to get them as crispy and golden by baking them that way.
The concept of using canned chicken to make chicken nuggets has apparently been out on the web for a couple of years now, but y’all know I’m always late to the trendy recipe parties. I don’t participate over on Tik Tok at all, so I’ll likely stay behind the times… forever. However, I’m sure thankful to know about this recipe now because it’s a keeper, and we truly enjoy it.
In fact, I haven’t been this excited about a chicken nugget, well, since the dawn of time for chicken nuggets in 1983 (I’m looking at you, McDonald’s…) I was there and 12 -year-old me thought those tasty McNuggets were a fascinating option over burgers. They were just SO crispy and good dunked in bbq sauce!!
These low-carb air fryer chicken nuggets give me the all the same feels as back then, but I’m happy to know exactly what’s gone into them, who’s cooking them (moi…), and I love that they’re not deep-fried in oil. I’ll be making many, many more of these for myself… and I guess I’ll share with the fam!
And, no, I won’t forget my favorite dipping sauces: pass the hot mustard and the bbq sauce please!
What’s your favorite chicken nugget dipping sauce??
Please remember sharing is caring and happy cooking, y’all! xo -M
Save this recipe on Pinterest!
Check out one of my latest cooking videos here and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more recipes and updates!
Enter your email address below to have all of my newest posts sent straight to your inbox! It’s a free service…never miss a recipe or an update, subscribe now!
Email address: Leave this field empty if you’re human:
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
FAQ
How long to cook chicken nuggets in air fryer?
It takes about 10 to 12 minutes for chicken nuggets to cook in an air fryer set to 400°F (200°C). It’s essential to preheat the air fryer for a few minutes before adding the nuggets to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy. To achieve the best results, turn the nuggets halfway through the cooking process.
Can you cook frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer?
Cooking frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer is a breeze. How long to cook them: To make sure they cook evenly, you must: Heat the air fryer for about 5 minutes before adding the nuggets. Arrange the nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to promote even crispiness.
How do you cook Nuggets in an air fryer?
Preheat the air fryer. This is crucial to getting an even, crisp exterior. If your air fryer doesn’t have a built-in preheating feature, just set it to the temperature you want and wait five minutes for it to warm up before adding the nuggets. Use minimal oil.
How to cook chicken nuggets in a fryer?
Arrange and Cook: Lay the nuggets in a single layer in the fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes. Flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure an even golden color. To guarantee the chicken nuggets are fully cooked, you should always check their internal temperature.
How long to cook frozen chicken nuggets?
Cooking times for frozen nuggets may vary by brand and size, so be sure to check the packaging for recommended air frying times. As a general guideline, most frozen chicken nuggets take about 10 to 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C). To achieve optimal crispiness, consider flipping the nuggets halfway through the cooking time.
Do I need to thaw frozen chicken nuggets before air frying?
No, you do not need to thaw frozen chicken nuggets before air frying. They can be cooked directly from the freezer, which makes air frying an excellent option for quick and convenient meals. The cooking time will remain similar, usually around 10 to 15 minutes depending on your air fryer model.
How long does it take to air fry chicken nuggets?